Ireland were dealt a late disruption ahead of their Six Nations showdown with England at Twickenham on Saturday.
The experienced Jack Conan had been named on the bench but was withdrawn on matchday, with Cian Prendergast drafted into the replacements. Prendergast started Ireland’s opening-round defeat to defending champions France.
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The late switch comes after coach Andy Farrell had already wielded the axe following a scratchy 20-13 win over Italy last week.
Jack Crowley takes over at flyhalf from Sam Prendergast, while Tadhg Furlong, Jamison Gibson-Park, Tadhg Beirne and Josh van der Flier have all been restored to the starting XV as Ireland look to sharpen up against an England side smarting from defeat.
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Both teams head into the clash with one win and one loss from their opening two rounds. England are desperate to respond after their 31-20 loss to Scotland at Murrayfield ended a 12-match winning run and derailed early Grand Slam ambitions.
There is also a major milestone for the hosts, with captain Maro Itoje set to earn his 100th cap, while dynamic loose forward Henry Pollock makes his first Test start.
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Photo: Seb Daly/Sportsfile via Getty Images
The post Ireland hard man ruled out of England clash appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Ireland were dealt a late disruption ahead of their Six Nations showdown with England at Twickenham on Saturday after one of their stalwarts was ruled out through illness.
The post Ireland hard man ruled out of England clash appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
